The Nigerian has returned to the Dea headquarters, but Inter’s interest has definitively faded: Marotta and Ausilio have already informed the Percassi family. They are taking a hard line with the player

The transfer market may be endless, but one thing is certain: if Ademola Lookman continues to play in Serie A wearing black and blue, he will do so in an Atalanta shirt. Not in an Inter shirt, as the Nerazzurri have pulled out of the race to sign the Nigerian striker. And, a few hours after Inter informed Atalanta that the negotiations had ended, Lookman returned to Zingonia.
The Dea’s wall against Inter’s offer—which reached 45 million including bonuses—did not budge, and timing was a determining factor in this story for Inter: ever since the Nerazzurri had taken their first steps, reaching an agreement with Lookman and his agents for a five-year deal worth $4.5 million per season, they had been careful to publicly state their intention not to engage in protracted negotiations, as happened with Koopmeiners at Juventus a year ago. However, it was mainly the assessments made within Inter that changed the situation, while work on Chivu’s construction site in Appiano was progressing. In fact, the ideas at the end of July were overtaken by events in August: the coach, together with president Marotta and sporting director Ausilio, agreed that Inter’s attack was not the area to be strengthened with a big-money signing of over $40 million. This assessment was based on the rapid integration of Pio Esposito and Bonny alongside Lautaro and Thuram, of course, but also on the principles of play with which Chivu is shaping the new Inter: for the aggressive and vertical team that the Romanian coach has in mind, muscle and speed need to be added to the midfield. Moreover, by investing in a young player such as 24-year-old Koné, we are a long way from 28-year-old Lookman, a player of quality but not for sale, to quote Marotta.

unavailable—  Atalanta’s position on Lookman has remained the same. First, when negotiations were open, it was up to Inter to raise the offer. Now that it seems the talks have come to an end and the Nigerian has returned to Zingonia, it will be up to the Bergamo club to decide. Because they are Lookman’s employer and have never put him on the market. There was a gentlemen’s agreement last summer that CEO Luca Percassi explained well at the beginning of August: “The agreement with the player was that he would only be sold to a top European club and that he would not wear the jersey of another Italian team.” In any case, the openness to a possible transfer was valid if the club’s demands were met. Retegui’s transfer—unexpected and unpredictable—has changed the state of affairs: what advantage would Atalanta have in putting the Nigerian on the market? Ademola has been unreachable, failing to communicate his absences in recent weeks and without presenting a medical certificate. Atalanta has chosen not to stir up any more controversy beyond that surrounding the Nigerian (who has removed photos of himself in the Nerazzurri jersey from social media and publicly asked to be sold). But that does not mean he will go unpunished. On the contrary, sanctions will be imposed and applied in due course. That is, when Atalanta deems it appropriate. The club can fine him for failing to communicate his absences and deduct his salary for the days he was absent from Zingonia.